Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201203’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘KKDR201203’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known  Dracaena reflexa  cultivars, as well as long narrow leaves. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena reflexa.

Variety denomination: ‘KKDR201203’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a naturally occurring mutation, whole plant of anunpatented unnamed variety of Dracaena reflexa.

The new variety was first discovered by the inventor, KanchanaKhemakongkanond, a citizen of Thailand, in August of 2004, in a nurseryin Bangkok, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as a potentiallyinteresting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing andpropagation of ‘KKDR201203’, assessing stability of the uniquecharacteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201203’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed at the same nursery in Bangkok, Thailandduring November of 2004. Subsequently at least three generations havebeen produced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KKDR201203’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘KKDR201203’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘KKDR201203’ as a new and distinct Dracaenacultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known        Dracaena reflexa cultivars.    -   2. Very narrow, long narrow leaves.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201203’ are similar to the unnamedunpatented parent, in most horticultural characteristics. The newvariety, however, produces variegated leaves, whereas the parentproduces green leaves.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201203’ are comparable to the varietyDracaena ‘Anita’ unpatented. The two Dracaena varieties are similar inmost horticultural characteristics, including plant habit, and havinglong, narrow foliage. However, the new variety ‘KKDR201203’ differs inhaving variegated leaves, whereas ‘Anita’ produces green leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘KKDR201203’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inHonselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 monthsold, shown planted in a 12 cm. container. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘KKDR201203’ plants grown according to thefollowing protocols.

Plants were grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, under greenhouseconditions, with temperatures ranging approximately from 25° C. to 36°C. during the day and 17° C. to 25° C. at night with natural sunlight.Measurements and numerical values below represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena reflexa ‘KKDR201203’.

PROPAGATION

-   Propagation details:-   Time to initiate rooting: About 6 weeks at approximately 25° C. to    28′C.-   Root description: Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy,    young roots cream-white, older roots Greyed-Orange 163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 6 months-   Pot size of plant described: 17 cm circular pot.-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Height: Approximately 37.5 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 42.5 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate, approximately 10 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, typically growing    with one main stem from the base. Will only develop lateral branches    after pinching/pruning.-   Diameter of stem: Approximately 0.6 cm.-   Internode length: Average 0.4 cm.-   Texture of stem: Smooth, dull.-   Color of stem: Green; near RHS 137C.-   Stem strength: Very strong.-   Number of leaves per stem: Average 50.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally). Average Length:            Approximately 23.6 cm. Average Width: Approximately 1.2 cm.            Shape of blade: Lorate. Aspect: Leaves in an average angle            of 50° to main stem (=0°), tips curved downward in an            average angle of 40° to horizontal)(=0°). Apex: Narrow            acuminate. Base: Broad cuneate. Attachment: Sheathing.            Margin: Entire. Texture of top surface: Smooth, moderately            glossy. Texture of bottom surface: Smooth, moderately            glossy.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Green; near RHS N137A,            broadly margined and irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green;            near RHS 145C and 150D, both colors present. Young foliage            under side: Green; near RHS N137B, broadly margined and            irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near RHS 138A and            154D, both colors present. Mature foliage upper side: Green            to yellow-green; in between near RHS N137A and 147A, both            colors present, narrowly margined and irregular striped            (axial) Greyed-green; near RHS 190C to 191D. Mature foliage            under side: Green; near RHS 137B, broadly margined and            irregular striped (axial) lighter; near RHS 138B and 138C,            both colors present.        -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Color: Upperside: As leaf blade.            Underside: As leaf blade.        -   Sheath.—Average Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Average Width:            Approximately 0.8 cm. Color: Green; near RHS 143A. Texture:            Smooth, slightly glossy. Other Distinguishing            Characteristics: No.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Good resistance to the normal diseases found in    Dracaena.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Normal for species, USDA zone    10 and higher.-   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plantnamed ‘KKDR201203’ as herein illustrated and described.